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Q1 Could you tell me about yourself? How did you start?
I did go to Art School in Holland, studied Fashion, did not like it, dropped out became an artist model and later taught myself how to paint.
It helped that most of my friends/lovers were artists.
Q2 Where do you usually get the inspiration for your works?
My imagination is fired by the subconsious, give me a pencil or a brush and images appear. But I also look at people's body's on the Underground, in the bus, the weight or constrictions in the flesh, the construction of eyesockets etc. anything can fascinate me. I have a very strong visual index so when I work all those bits & pieces of my own inner world get mixed with the objects around me, my new pair of shoes, the blackbird who hops into my studio to get fed, my coleander and all those bodies I have stared at!
Q3 Your early painting was abstract but from 1992, your work became figurative, what was the reason for changing your style?
The death of my parents made at once the world real for me and I needed to paint real things instead of making harmonious compositions |
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Q8 Do you have any advice for the young painters?
To be curious, to keep going, it's a love affair!
To use your frustration, hurt, doubt etc and turn it into drawing/painting energy, its easy to get down but very hard to get out of it.
All artists have this super sensitive , close to the dark side bit in them, use it but don't get consumed by it.
Q9 What's coming up for 2007? Any plan for the exhibition?
Lots of group shows in London, a touring show Uncanny Tales with Paula Rego, Ana Maria Pacheco, Oona Grimes and myself and a Print Biennale in Museum of Modern & Cont. Art in Liege, Belgium in March/April 07
My soloshow 'The weight of Smoke' in October/November 2007 at De Queeste Art in Belgium
Look for updates on my website: http://www.marcellehanselaar.com
Q10 Any message?
I stayed in Japan for 10 months in the late 70's, would love to get invited to do a group or solo show there.
Marcelle Hanselaar, London Dec. 2006 |
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| Marcelle Hanselaar was born in Rotterdam, Holland and travelled extensively in Asia and Europe before finally settling down in her studio in London, England. Although she studied at the Royal Academy, the Hague ( 1962-'64 ) and at the Rijks Academy, Amsterdam ( 1977-'78 ), in oil painting she is entirely self-taught. In 1993 and again in 1995/96 Hanselaar was invited to teach painting at the S.W.Teaching University, Chongqing, China, she also taught drawing at Sotheby's Educational Institute, London from 1989-'99. In 1997 Hanselaar got interested in etching and did a B-Tech in printmaking at Kensington & Chelsea College in 2001. Marcelle Hanselaar's early painting ( 1979-90 ) was abstract but in 1992, after a personal crisis her work became completely figurative. Her earlier abstract concerns regarding space and form mixed with expressionist boldness and emotion makes Hanselaar's work resolutely contemporary. Recently, due to a renewed interest in drawing, she has developed a narrative style in her etchings and some small oils as well. Member of the Royal Society of Painter/Printmakers (ARE) and of The London Group. |
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Q4 I was fascinated by your etching series, 'La Petite Mort' -2005. Very raw and looks like it has lots of meanings. Could you explain the concept behind the series?
I don't like to explain too much basically because my images say what I cannot say in words. People told me 'La Petite Mort' means an orgasm, I did not know that expression, I used it literally, those daily small death we die out of longing for what we cannot ever get. The awareness of being alone even in love.
That realisation also comes with a wild and wicked sense of humour.
Q5 What is beauty means to you?
What is.
Q6 Are there any people who inspired you? Who do you respect?
Courageous artists like Max Beckmann, Louise Bourgeois, Kikki Smith, Hans Bellmer, Marlene Dumas and of course the great Baroque painters.
People whose work has great integrity.
Q7 Currently are you teaching at somewhere?
No, I only ever teach short etching workshops.
Or like that invitation to teach in Chongqing, China, that was a real challenge and I learned a lot as well.
I like adventure but I am too self centered and impatient to be a really good teacher. |
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